Relocation - Indianapolis vs. Lansing MI insight?

[dmallind]

I'm quietly confident of having this choice for my next relocation (maybe not of course!) so I thought I'd post in both IN and MI forums and see what I get. I've done the usual due diligence at city-data and bestplaces so I know the stats, but they only tell part of the picture. I've visited both places but spent more time in Lansing due to former in-laws living there. I'm more looking for informed social context. Comparisons would be great if you know both places but just IN insight more than appreciated. Pros/Cons/social environment etc would be much appreciated

US: empty nesters, upper middle income (low six figures), moderate Dems both, early 40's, suburban/outer urban by preference (large yard for dog). Would be looking at typical Carmel/Fishers/Zionsville/NW Indianapolis areas. Work would be close to this. Not too artsy in interests but we like the usual amenities within reasonable distance. Not into keeping up with Joneses or coffee klatch socializing. A bit on the white-bread side but without the fake bonhomie that often goes with it. Irreligious. More interested in discussing politics than little Bobby's grades.

Thanks for anything guys.

[LiberalFighter]

1. Indy has a Republican mayor now. Democratic possible next time.

Higher taxes IMO. And will probably go higher soon because of the Colts/Pacer Board fiasco. Sales income tax in Indiana is 7%. I believe that Indy and the surrounding counties have an additional Food Beverage tax of 1% on all prepared food.

Personally, I wouldn't live in a city as big as Indy.

They have a lot of activities. But that should be expected for a city the size of Indy. Personally, most of them I could care less about. Indy 500 blah, Indy Colts blah, Indy Pacers blah. As for other activities I haven't paid attention.

It probably depends on how much you want to increase your odds of finding a good job. Indy has a population of about 800,000 and Lansing is over 100,000. Both are state capitals.

[dmallind]

3. Thanks for the info - jobs would be assumed

The scenario is assuming I get both offers which seem close. I think I'm certainly getting one, and quite probably both. I have generally been fine in the suburbs or outer-ring urban areas of big cities - it's what you're used to I guess!

[Jokerman]

2. Been in Indy for twenty years.

Mostly in Broad Ripple or Speedway. I've always been partial to urban living so I don't really now much about Carmel/Fishers/Zionsville other than they are predominately republican. We're talking Dan Burton, nut-case, far-right republican. These days outer urban has moved past Carmel/Fishers/Zionsville. Some of the worst traffic in the metro area is now in Carmel and Fishers.

As mentioned above we do pay "Colts Tax" in Marion and the surrounding counties on all restaurant and bar tabs. Currently 1% in the "donut" counties where Carmel/Fishers/Zionsville are located and 2% here in the city. This is likely to go up again as the new stadium was pushed through with bullshit maintenance cost projections.

The economy in Indy has taken a hit along with everybody else and like most cities we have the full range of urban issues, but I'd put the quality of life here as high or higher than anywhere else I've lived.

The current mayor and governor are both republicans but I credit that more to organizational problems on the democratic side rather than actual ideology. We took back our township last November and the county went heavily for Obama.

[dmallind]

4. Thanks much - I meant outer edge of the city BTW

So I'd be looking in either those suburbs or NW Indianapolis itself - areas around 71st -86th street and between Michigan and Meridian. Wouldn't want to go past Carmel - too long a commute for my taste and while I'm no inner-city guy I do want to be within easy reach of metro area amenities.

The traffic when I was there seemed only to be really bad around the 69/465 area and not bad at all even in rush hour on 465 itself and the major roads in that area west of 69. Is that normal or lucky?

[Jokerman]

5. I-69 is one of the busiest corridors.

From 465 to at least the Noblesville area anyway. 465 on the west side is being upgraded from 6 to 10/12 lanes and the interchanges are all being rebuilt. 71st and 86th streets were finished in the last couple of years and 38th has recently re-opened.

The construction in progress is a pain but I must say that the newly rebuilt stretches of road handle heavy traffic very well. 465 is really the only continuous north/south road on the west side and the 6 lane sections date to the early 70's so it was due for a rebuild.

Traffic in Indy is overall, pretty tame. The city bus system gets a bad rap from many but from where we live I can be downtown in a half-hour for a buck and a half. I don't do this daily but if I meet friends for food, drinks, baseball, or all three, I can avoid parking costs and drink without having to drive.

The Michigan road corridor can get fairly congested and there are a lot of vacant businesses south of 86th. Unfortunately that is also true for west 38th street and many other neighborhoods within the 465 loop. Everything new seems to be built outside of 465 with the exception of Trader's Point, a new shopping center just inside the loop at 86th. If I were looking for a home in north/west Indy I would consider west of 465 and in the 56th to 86th street areas. There is a large park, golf course and reservoir at Eagle Creek and some very nice houses with large wooded lots.

Good luck with whatever you decide. We're overdue for a local DU meet-up so let us know if you'll be in town.

[LittleGirl]

6. Used to live in Indy

The weather is milder in the winter than in Lansing that gets a lot of that lake effect snow. I don't like to shovel anymore so I would prefer Indy to Lansing for that reason alone. My brother lives in Lawrence township (NE of 465) and the traffic in that area can be annoying.

Indy is like a big city that rolls up their sidewalks at dark and is fairly safe. I think you'll find the people friendy in either place. Good luck.